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House of sadhvi searched in Jabalpur

Bhopal/Mumbai: The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorist Squad Police has picked up a person from Bhopal for his suspected involvement in the Malegaon blasts even as there were reports of a second woman of a Hindu group being held in Indore. Meanwhile, the residence of Hindu Jagran Manch activist and sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, held in connection with the case, was searched in Jabalpur by Madhya Pradesh police.

The ATS team is in Madhya Pradesh for taking into custody suspects in the case, especially after the arrest of three persons from MP including Pragya.

There were reports that Sashikala Shastri of Durga Vahini was held in Indore but Maharashtra DGP A.N. Roy denied any more woman was arrested.

Joint Commissioner of Police (ATS) Hemant Karkare said in Mumbai that no fresh arrest had been made following the initial three arrests in connection with the Malegaon blast on September 29 when six persons were killed.

“No further arrests have been made in the case. We are interrogating a lot of people,” Mr. Karkare said.

A team of ATS officials arrived in Madhya Pradesh a few days back and conducted raids at several places including Bhopal, Indore, Dewas, Jabalpur and Gwalior, sources said.

The search at the house of the sadhvi yielded nothing objectionable.

The house belongs to one Sanjeev Gupta who also owns a book shop near the residence, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Manish Kapooria and Gorakhpur Police Station incharge D.K. Dixit told reporters.

Police opened the house of the sadhvi in the presence of Mr. Gupta. A few religious books and domestic goods were found.

However, Madhya Pradesh DGP S.K. Raut said the State police had not been given any information to conclude that Pragya Singh Thakur had any links with the RSS or the BJP.

Terming as “serious,” the involvement of Hindu organisations in the blasts, Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said in Mumbai that the State would have to be careful.

He, however, said it was too early to come to a definite conclusion on the issue of involvement of Hindu outfits, since the investigation by the ATS was not yet complete.

The ATS is all set to file charge sheets against three Pune-based ex-army officers it is interrogating. They allegedly trained those involved in the Malegaon blasts, officials said. — PTI/IANS